The World Pheasant Association

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not specified (grants budget £6,000-£8,000 per year maximum)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2 months from application
• Grant Range: Up to £3,000 per grant
• Geographic Focus: International (focus on Galliformes conservation worldwide)

Contact Details

Website: http://www.pheasant.org.uk/

Email: office@pheasant.org.uk

Phone: 07935 383992

Grant Applications: Submit to office@pheasant.org.uk

Overview

The World Pheasant Association (WPA) is a UK registered charity (no. 1181022) established in 1975 by a small group of pheasant enthusiasts with support from French ornithologist Jean Delacour. The organization is committed to the conservation of Galliformes (pheasants, partridges, cracids, grouse, and megapodes) and the habitats they depend upon worldwide. With total income of £554,959 and charitable expenditure of £251,191, WPA operates with 1 employee, 15 trustees, and 25 volunteers. The organization has grown into a focused international conservation body with satellite WPA groups formed around the world, promoting conservation through research, scientific studies, management of backup populations, education in local communities, and in-situ conservation projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Conservation Research Grants: Up to £3,000 per project

• Focus on research projects relating to Galliformes
• Applications considered twice yearly (January and July)
• Submit by December 31 or June 30 deadlines
• Maximum total grant budget approximately £6,000-£8,000 per year

James Goodhart Travel Grant

• Specifically for volunteer fieldworkers
• Covers travel costs for experienced Galliformes care volunteers
• Supports fieldwork opportunities

Priority Areas

WPA funds diverse project types including:

• Ecology and biology-based research projects
• Habitat surveys
• Population surveys and monitoring
• Social surveys
• Community-based conservation initiatives
• Both short-term and long-term projects

Geographic Focus: Worldwide, with active projects in Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia, Greece, Pakistan, Vietnam, and other countries with Galliformes populations.

What They Don't Fund

The organization has limited funds and prioritizes projects directly related to Galliformes conservation. Projects exceeding £3,000 should contact the administrator before applying.

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Governance and Leadership

Structure:

• 15 trustees (no remuneration)
• WPA Council (approves or declines funding)
• Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) - evaluates project proposals on scientific and practical merits
• Conservation Breeding Advisory Group (CBAG) - manages backup populations and studbooks
• European Conservation Breeding Group (ECBG) - meets twice yearly

Key Personnel:

• Barbara Ingman - Administrator
• Ludo Pinceel - Vice-president WPA, Chair WPA Benelux, Vice-chair EAZA Galliformes TAG

The Scientific Advisory Committee provides crucial advice to the WPA Council on project proposals, tracking scientific advances, and assisting with population analysis, genetics, and field monitoring. The Council makes final funding decisions based on overall policy, SAC advice, and availability of funds.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Complete the most up-to-date “Current Project Proposal Form”
2. Submit application to office@pheasant.org.uk
3. If your project is likely to exceed £3,000, contact the Administrator before submitting

Application Deadlines:

• December 31 (for January consideration)
• June 30 (for July consideration)

Process:

• Applications are circulated to the Scientific Advisory Committee
• SAC provides recommendations to WPA Council
• Council approves or declines funding based on policy, SAC advice, and fund availability

Decision Timeline

WPA aims to respond to applications within 2 months of receiving them.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must provide:

• Short mid-year update
• Annual report (for multi-year projects)
• Final report

Important: 10% of funds will be held back until receipt of an acceptable final report.

Project Publicity Requirements: Any project publicity must include the WPA official logo and acknowledge WPA's contribution.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. However, the organization notes they have “limited funds” with a maximum total annual grant budget of approximately £6,000-£8,000.

Reapplication Policy

Information not publicly available. Contact the organization directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on WPA's organizational structure and priorities:

Scientific Merit: Applications are evaluated by the Scientific Advisory Committee for scientific and practical merit. Strong research methodology and clear conservation outcomes are essential.

Galliformes Focus: Projects must relate directly to the conservation of Galliformes species - pheasants, partridges, cracids, grouse, or megapodes.

Community Engagement: WPA values community-based conservation approaches. Projects demonstrating local education, outreach, or community involvement are aligned with WPA's mission.

Practical Conservation Impact: WPA supports both in-situ field projects and captive breeding initiatives. Applications should demonstrate practical conservation benefits.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Monitoring and Conservation capacity building for Western Tragopan in Salkhala Game Reserve, Kashmir Himalaya, Pakistan (2024) - population monitoring using call census method, ranger training, and educational film production
• Long-term monitoring and conservation programme in Machiara National Park, Pakistan - population monitoring, community-agreed breeding zones, and conservation outreach
• Palas Valley conservation work in Indus Kohistan supporting one of the world's largest Western Tragopan populations

Budget Justification: With limited funds available, realistic budgets up to £3,000 are most competitive. Projects requiring more should discuss feasibility with the administrator first.

Project Types Welcomed: The organization explicitly states they fund “many different forms” of projects including surveys, research, and community conservation, indicating flexibility in approach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two annual funding rounds: Plan submissions for December 31 or June 30 deadlines to meet January and July consideration periods
• Limited funding pool: With maximum £6,000-£8,000 total annual budget, competition is significant - keep requests realistic (up to £3,000)
• Scientific rigor matters: Applications undergo Scientific Advisory Committee review - strong methodology and clear conservation outcomes are essential
• Community element strengthens applications: Projects incorporating local education, capacity building, or community engagement align with WPA's approach
• Global reach, species-specific focus: While WPA works internationally, projects must directly relate to Galliformes conservation
• Reporting is mandatory: Be prepared to provide mid-year updates and final reports - 10% of funding is withheld until acceptable final report submission
• Pre-application contact encouraged: For projects approaching or exceeding £3,000, contact the Administrator before submitting to discuss feasibility

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Oriental Bird Club
• The World Parrot Trust
• People's Trust for Endangered Species
• WWF-UK
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
• THE HEADLEY TRUST
• Humane Slaughter Association
• The Animal Defence Trust
• THE FISHERIES SOCIETY OF THE BRITISH ISLES

References

• World Pheasant Association Official Website - Conservation Grants: https://www.pheasant.org.uk/conservation/grants/
• World Pheasant Association - About: https://www.pheasant.org.uk/about-world-pheasant-association/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity No. 1181022: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1181022&subid=0
• World Pheasant Association - Conservation Projects: https://www.pheasant.org.uk/conservation/projects/
• World Pheasant Association - Pakistan Projects: https://www.pheasant.org.uk/regions/pakistan/
• IUCN Galliformes Specialist Group - WPA Partnership: https://galliformes.org/partners/world-pheasant-association